Kubala Sosna and Virtual Dynamics - Similar??

Well that's why they make so many different flavors. :)

After I posted that last reply, I had a phone conversation with another 'audionut'. He also has tried VD and moved on. Similar comments. He made one comment that stuck in my head, he said "VD cables sound like very, very good stereo". I agreed. In both of our opinions, it was not a more natural live sound. So I guess it all depends on what you consider a natural live sound. Is the PAD rolled off? Is the VD artificially enhanced? Is the PAD soundstage artificially enhanced? Is the VD soundstage too aggressive? Only your own personal live performance experiences can help you here. As I think we all hopelessly try to re-create the live sound, be it studio or stage.

No, it wasn't Jafox on the phone either, nor does he use PAD cables. :)

He did say though, that whatever brings you personally closer into the music, is all that really matters. I agreed again. VD, PAD, K/S, Stealth, or whatever. In the end, all that matters is your own opinion, and what cables/cords make you happy.

John

BTW, I never tried the Rev Sig or Genesis, I have only heard the Nite/Master/Revelation series. I'm not tempted to go any further though.

I'll be interested in reading your thoughts on the VD cords Teck. FWIW, my tastes seem to run more in line with John's (Jafox). I have had some success with VD Master and Revelation power cords, mostly on amplifiers. I just returned a pair of VD Revelation speaker cables that Rick was kind enough to let me demo. I felt they had outstanding clarity, dynamics and power, and good attack on the notes. However, like John, I felt the decay was too quick, and not natural. I also felt that the presentation was too forward for my tastes, and the soundstage too flat, 2-dimensional.

Once I switched back to my PAD Dominus speaker cables, my speakers just dissapeared. The rear wall did too, as the stage depth increased 5 fold. While the Dominus isn't as quick on the attack of the note, it has a more natural decay. As I said to a friend of mine, the Revelations better defined the strings plucked on a guitar, but the Dominus gave a more natural sound of the guitar's wood body resonating. Kind of like picking between a good tube amp or a good SS amp.

Two very good, yet very different cables. I have not heard the K-S cables yet, from what I've heard though, they are closer to the PAD camp than the VD camp.

I'll also second John's opinion of the Jade Audio Solid Gold cables. Very natural, relaxed with spatial cues that come from well defined locations.

Cheers,
John

Fplanner2000, I had a long reply typed out, but it just dissapeared on me. I hate when that happens.

Suffice it to say that I think we are both hearing the same things, but have different values. Yes, the PAD has a mid hall presentation, that's what I like about it. Yes, the VD is like being transported to the front row, that's what I didn't like about it.

When I go to shows/concerts or even sporting events, I do not care to sit in the first 10-15 rows. I feel that I can see/hear more of the overall production from a mid-hall perspective. You want to be in the front row, I don't care for that at all. I feel as if the music is being forced on me. I prefer a more relaxed presentation.

Yes, I've heard that VD products can take 2-4 months to sound their best. However, the money back guarantee doesn't apply that long. I couldn't wait that long either. After 10 days of running 24/7, the sound hadn't changed at all (these weren't new, but used cables anyway). I couldn't wait to get my PAD cables back in place.
I am grateful to Rick for letting me try them, and they do many things right, but they are just too forward for my tastes.

Obviously there are many out there who like front row presentation, look at the success of VD, Mark Levinson and EMM Labs gear. However, if you look at the success of PAD, BAT, Audio Aero, etc, you'll see that many like the mid hall presentation as well. That's why it's helpful, when asking questions on-line, to know what musical tastes you have and the tastes of the responders as well.

Teck5 may well be a front row guy/gal, we'll soon find out.
It will be interesting if he/she has a chance to hear the VD cords side by side with the Stealth cords. He/she will immediately know which perspective best suits them.

Teck5, BTW, I also agree with Jafox that you should probably address your front end before trying all of these power cords. Cables/cords are some nice finishing touches, but you must have a solid foundation. It all starts with the source.

Cheers,
John

PS: Yes, this is the short version. :)